CIMAR-LA organises National Aquaculture Meeting: ENAQUA 25

The First National Aquaculture Meeting (ENAQUA 25), promoted by the associated laboratory CIMAR-LA  – which brings together CCMAR and CIIMAR – brought together researchers, students, industry representatives and public entities on 27 and 28 November in Faro, in an event that cemented the link between science and innovation in aquaculture in Portugal.

Two days focused on applied science, sustainability and animal welfare
The opening session set the tone for a packed programme dedicated to circularity and the role of alternative protein sources, setting the tone for an event strongly focused on innovation. The following presentations addressed issues such as advanced nutrition, physiological responses, functional ingredients, biomarkers, transcriptomics, microbiomes and marine restoration — reflecting the current dynamism of national research in aquaculture.
Teams from various research centres contributed studies on protein hydrolysates, sustainable diets, improving larval robustness, environmental impacts and fish health. The well-attended poster sessions reinforced the collaborative ecosystem and vitality that characterise the scientific community.

Day 2: focus on animal welfare and innovation in fish health
The second day began with the issue of fish welfare, highlighting common goals and challenges in integrating good practices in the sector. This was followed by presentations on the relationship between nutrition, immunity and prophylaxis, including:

• new skin biomarkers for health monitoring
• the immunomodulatory potential of methionine in vaccinated fish
• early immune responses to bacterial challenges modulated by protein hydrolysates
• external membrane vesicle platforms for multivalent vaccines;
• bioactive compounds from Salicornia ramosissima with an impact on bacterial infections;
• characterisation of infections by Tenacibaculum maritimum;
• enhancement of viral resistance in rainbow trout supplemented with methionine;
   

Several participants publicly shared, through their networks, the importance of the initiative and the atmosphere experienced during ENAQUA 25, highlighting the connection between everyone and the doors that are now opening to new and rich collaborations for the future.

Next edition already confirmed
With very positive reviews, CIMAR-LA announced that the next edition of the meeting will take place in 2027, at CIIMAR (Porto), consolidating ENAQUA as a regular meeting point for the Portuguese scientific community and industry.